HIS BEATITUDE AT THE CEREMONY OF ENTHRONEMENT OF THE NEW PRIMATE OF THE COPTIC CHURCH

On 18th November 2012, His Beatitude Theodoros II, Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa, together with His Eminence Nicholas Metropolitan of Ermopolis and His Grace Nikodimos Bishop of Nitria Patriarchal Vicar of Cairo, attended the ceremony of Enthronement of the new Patriarch of the Coptic Church Theodoros II, at the Coptic Cathedral in Cairo, following an invitation from the newly-elected Primate.

His Beatitude the Patriarch of Alexandria, during his brief address said:

“Your Beatitude Pope and patriarch Theodoros II,

With feelings of genuine brotherhood, we are here today with you during the ceremony of your enthronement, to participate in this joyous event of your official undertaking of your duties as Primate and to pray wholeheartedly for a productive and smooth Patriarchal tenure.

We have come here as the Primate of the Apostolic and Patriarchal Throne of Alexandria and All Africa, giving the fraternal embrace in Christ to your most honoured person and through you to the Fulness of your Church, in globally difficult circumstances, in which the contemporary world is in constant and tremulous uncertainty and intensely seeks a new state of affairs.

In this historic turning point, our co-operation in mutual respect of Church leaders, is precious and pertinent for the prosperity and general reconciliation of nations. That is why even the fact that we both bear the name “Theodoros II”,is an historic order towards closer understanding for the noble people of Egypt.
With the conviction that your spiritual person, your theological knowledge, your many years of experience on ecclesial issues, particularly your well-known love for the people of God, are pledges of the onset of your Patriarchal tenure, and we pray that the Lord will keep Your Beatitude in health and great strength and we offer to you this Patriarchal Mitre with much love and honour. Many years”.

Note that His Beatitude represented also His Beatitude Chrysostomos of New Justinia and Cyprus, and passed on to the Coptic Patriarch the congratulatory wishes of the Primate of the Church of Cyprus.